Fear of defeat forcing PM to campaign in dists: Shergill

“During the last four years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was only seen on television as he was extensively touring foreign countries. As the Assembly election is around the corner, he is now campaigning extensively and shedding crocodile tears to mislead the voters because he is convinced of BJP’s defeat,” said Indian National Congress national media panelist Jaiveer Shergill.

Addressing reporters at the Congress office here on Thursday, Shergill said that Narendra Modi has lost faith in BJP leaders in Karnataka, including B S Yeddyurappa. As a result, he is making election speeches in various districts like a Chief Minister, forgetting about his status and stature, he said.

He said that the PM was unaware of ground realities and was increasing the prices of daily commodities and fuels thereby, making the lives of marginal families miserable. The Central government has looted the common people of Rs 10 lakh crore, by increasing fuel prices. Why has the Central government not been taking any measures to curb fuel prices, he sought to know.

PM Modi has a notorious track record of shedding crocodile tears during election campaigns to mislead the voters to secure votes but his Government’s actions and on-ground policies expose PM Modi’s anti-farmer, anti-soldier and anti-women face, he said and questioned PM’s silence over the Unnao and Kathua horrific rape incidents.

Strongly criticising the Central government for not waiving a single rupee of farmer loan but waiving Rs 2,72,000 crore worth of corporate loans, Shergill pointed out that the Congress-led Karnataka government has waived Rs 8,165 crore worth of farmers loans. Accusing the Central government of being “anti-soldiers”, he wanted to know why the Modi government has decided to impose a cap of Rs 10,000 on Education fund for the children of the martyrs of India.

“Why did the Central government resort to lathi-charge on the soldiers protesting at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, seeking implementation of One Rank One Pension as approved by Congress Government,” he asked.

He also lambasted Modi for seeking votes from people by sharing the stage with corrupt people. “The PM is turning a blind eye towards the large-scale job loss in the country. Highest funds from the Central Government were sanctioned only to the BJP-ruled states. The PM would cheat Karnataka people as he did in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar,” he said.

Shergill further pointed out that the MP of the region has not given any memorandum to the Prime Minister towards the extension of Mangaluru International Airport.

The PM should clarify why the long-pending demand of the region has not been fulfilled. Also, the MP of the region is answerable for non-available of funds from the Central Government for the fisheries community in the coastal district. The Central government funds towards Jetty in Kulai has not been sanctioned, he added.

Maharastra former Minister Suresh Shetty, Panemangaluru block Congress President Abbas Ali, leaders K Sanjiva Boliyar and Chandraprakash Shetty were present.